Santa Anita: Three horses to use in the Feb. 6 Rainbow Pick 6

A massive Pick 6 carryover could be in the cards for a mandatory payout Saturday at Santa Anita, with millions of fresh dollars likely to join the pool as bettors flock to win a share of the action.

As of Thursday, the carryover for Santa Anita’s jackpot-style Rainbow Pick 6 stands at $843,236. Assuming a unique winning ticket isn’t sold during Friday’s card, the entire pool will be split among winning bettors Saturday, which could amount to a very lucrative payday if couple of longshots visit the winner’s circle.

Saturday’s Rainbow Pick 6 kicks off in Race 5, with an estimated post time of 5 p.m. ET. Let’s get a head start on handicapping by highlighting three horses worth including.

Best single

Race 6: #6 Whisper Not (3-1)

A former British campaigner, Whisper Not has run well in both of his U.S. starts for trainer Richard Baltas. After he rallied to finish second in a 1 1/16-mile allowance at Del Mar, the son of Poet’s Voice battled gamely through tight quarters to finish third in the Mathis Brothers Mile (G2), where he was beaten just 1 1/4 lengths by proven graded stakes winners Smooth Like Strait and Storm the Court.

On Saturday, Whisper Not will drop down in class for a 1 1/8-mile turf allowance, so his Mathis Brothers Mile performance stands out as the best bit of form in the field.

With jockey Joel Rosario aboard, Whisper Not looms as a logical single.

Biggest wildcard

Race 7: #1 Freedom Fighter (7-2)

The seven-furlong San Vicente S. (G2) has drawn just six starters, and many handicappers will be inclined to single #6 Concert Tour (2-1). The Bob Baffert-trained youngster was a flashy debut winner at Santa Anita last month, when he wired a six-furlong maiden sprint by 3 1/2 lengths, with a 94 Brisnet Speed rating.

But don’t overlook the chances of Concert Tour’s stablemate, Freedom Fighter. A highly regarded maiden winner dashing five furlongs at Del Mar last summer, Freedom Fighter hasn’t run since, but he has been training like a monster.

The fact that Baffert is tossing Freedom Fight into graded stakes company off the layoff suggests the dark bay colt is ready for a big effort. He is not the fastest runner on paper, and the rail draw could lead to a pressured trip, but if Freedom Fighter runs to his workouts, he is a wildcard we can’t exclude from our tickets.

Live longshot

Race 8: #4 Border Town (12-1)

Border Town has trouble consistently producing big efforts, which is surely a reason he is 12-1 on the morning line for the one-mile Thunder Road S. (G3). But when Border Town brings his "A" game, he is a turf miler worth fearing.

Check out Border Town’s victory in a one-mile allowance at Santa Anita last month. In his return from a three-month layoff, the five-year-old gelding sprinted the final quarter mile in :23.35 to win by a half-length, over the graded stakes-placed pacesetter #6 Award Winner (15-1).

Border Town might not be the most likely winner of the Thunder Road, but with jockey Flavien Prat (a 24% winner on turf) in the saddle, he is worth including in the Rainbow 6 at 12-1.

Good luck!